Winchester Model 1912 16 Gauge

[10-36]

I've been given a Winchester Model 1912 16 Gauge shotgun and need some help with any information on it.

Barrel reads: Nickel Steel, Trademark Winchester Reg. in U.S. Pat. Off. & Fgn., Mod. 1912 16 GA., Full

Receiver and Barrel both have the WP in Oval proof mark.

Serial Number 191209

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thank!

 

[XxWINxX94]

Well you have a classic, collectable, Winchester shotgun there.

S/N: 183470 dates to 1919 and S/N: 219466 dates to 1920 so yours is somewhere in the early 1919 range.

Hows the condition? Its a huge factor in prices of these shotguns. Assuming yours isn't the best condition, but far from the worst, 90% condition is around $425.

Blue Book also says to add 10% for pre-WWII mfg.
Many other things to add and subtract % value:
Cutt's Compensator, 32'' barrel, original box & papers, Solid Rib, milled VR, deluxe field grade, extra barrels, Win Special VR.

 

[MMCSRET]

Please be aware that the original 16 ga. chambering was for shells 2 9/16" long. Not the
2 3/4" that we find in production today. My 1912 dated 1915 is a 2 9/16" chamber. Winchester started the longer chamber after WW I but I don't know exactly when, I've been told 1920. Please be sure before firing with modern ammunition.
Be safe!!!!!!!

 

[XxWINxX94]

From Wikipedia reguarding the shell length:

Some early 16 gauge Model 12's, however, were chambered for 2 9/16-inch shotgun shells, the 12 gauge guns had chambers that were 2⅝" and the 20 gauges had chambers that were 2½". To add further confusion, some of these early Model 12's have subsequently been modified, with their chambers lengthened to accept 2¾-inch shotgun shells, while others remain in their factory-stock chamber lengths. Careful inspection by a gunsmith is always recommended to determine whether or not it is safe to fire a modern 2¾-inch shotgun shell in older Model 12's.

 

[10-36]

Great call on the chamber length! Thanks for the input. I'm doing a lot of inventory on my grandfather-in-law's rifles and pistols. This is just one of them.

 

[mothernatureson]

wikipedeia ?

I am quite sure the model 12 in 12 gauge were made with 2 3/4 chambers from the start. 20 gauge were made with 2 1/2 in chambers in the beginning, and 2 3/4 inch as standard in 1925. 16 gauge were made with 2 9/16 until 1927 when 2 3/4 inch chambers were standard. 28 gauge guns had 2 7/8 inch chambers as standard. Of course , have your model 12 inspected by a reliable gunsmith. good shooting!

mothernatureson